Dragon's Lair Fans - Arcade Lifestyle

General Chat => Meetings, Exhibition, Events... => Topic started by: DarthNuno on October 29, 2007, 10:56:45 AM

Title: :: Report :: Coin-Op Expo / Preview 2008 - London
Post by: DarthNuno on October 29, 2007, 10:56:45 AM
Here I Am...

This is it ... London... the 10th of October 2007 ... for the Preview 2008 Coin-Op Expo, an exhibition that shows the latest products from the best manufacturers and distributors the Coin-op industry has to offer.  8)

No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith...

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre1.jpg)

...what a pain... 5 days ago I broke my big toe when I was working on my BattleZone cabinet ... Ouch... I was really affraid to cancel this London trip, but no !!!  It's a part of "ArcadeLifeStlyle"   :wink:  .... I mean suffering for what you like  :roll:  ... So I'm here ... not easy to walk, but let's go  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre2.jpg)

At the entrance, I got my "All Access Area'  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre3.jpg)

Day 1

...because I walk as fast as a turtle (with a bandage around my feet), I came two hours before the end of day 1  :?  So I decided to walk everywhere, take my time, easy & cool like Fonzie  8)  just locate the thinks, and go 'in deep' tomorow  :)

First floor, a lot of gambling machines :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre4.jpg)

Basketball games :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre5.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre9.jpg)

Cranes :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre6.jpg)

Slots ... a lot of ...

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre7.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre8.jpg)

In an other room...

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre10.jpg)

...the new generation of touch screen games... class  :)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre11.jpg)

... very nice too  :roll:  :wink:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre12.jpg)

A new generation of  'coin-pusher' game :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre13.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre14.jpg)

First floor, games for 'strong' men  :)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre15.jpg)

I'm entering in a HUGE room... most of the arcade games are here  :o  ...

Aliens Extermination :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre16.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre36.jpg)

The lastest racing game from Sega : SEGA RACE TV ... Really Nice  :P  and 'Primeval Hunt', a shooting game that use -of course- a gun but also a touch screen to move :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre17.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre34.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre35.jpg)

"Let's go jungle" from Sega, in its stantard cabinet :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre18.jpg)

After Burner ClimaX deluxe version :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre19.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre40.jpg)

Sega Pinair, a mix between a pinball and an air hockey :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre20.jpg)

A naomi cab with the latest naomi game : Asian Dynamite, and Linbergh cabs running Virtual Tennis 3 / Virtua Fighters 5 :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre21.jpg)

Inital D4 :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre22.jpg)

An interesting stand : STS, official parts supplier for SEGA  :wink:  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre23.jpg)

Ghost Sqad Evolution :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre24.jpg)

Namco Bandai stand ... with a stange cab ' : Panzer Elite Action :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre25.jpg)

Routelle game :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre26.jpg)

Fast & Furious Drift *4 players setup*, and Super Bikes :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre27.jpg)

On the ElectroCoin stand, Chase HQ 2 from Taito in both version : Deluxe & upright :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre28.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre29.jpg)

...and the latest Stern's pinball : Spiderman III  :P

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre30.jpg)

For information, I think I was the only one to wear 'casual clothes'  :roll:  ... most of other people are here ... for business first  8)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre31.jpg)

Another huge setup from Namco :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre32.jpg)

The new Super Mario Kart II :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre33.jpg)

Isn't it beautiful, a brand new side art  :roll:  :o  :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre38.jpg)

Nascar Racinf from EA / Gloval VR : It looks like Daytona USA... but this is not Daytona USA  :?

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre37.jpg)

A stand for the 'passive games' in big simulators...

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre39.jpg)

And here's the HUGE version of the 'Let's Go Jungle' game from SEGA   :o

You cannot start the game alone... like the Sega R360 by exemple, because it's like a ride... someone has to check  if everything is fine during the play...  So I ask to the 'Sega girl' to let me in & play  8)  :wink:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/pre41.jpg)

...inside, two players on a seat that can quickly turns up to 270°... at the speed of light  :shock:  :o

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo1.jpg)

The game send images on two screens via two video projectors.

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo2.jpg)

and sometimes, the game blows air in your face... impressive   :)

Outside of the 'Sega Theater', a control panel :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo3.jpg)

Better than a poster, better than a marquee, better than a flyer, here's a "Let's go Jungle" statue  :shock:  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo4.jpg)

General view of the 'Theater'  :roll:  :wink:  :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo5.jpg)


End of Day 1
Title: :: Report :: Coin-Op Expo / Preview 2008 - London
Post by: DarthNuno on October 29, 2007, 10:57:16 AM
Day 2... the serious things first  !

I have to visit "Brent', the official Namco branch in UK  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo6.jpg)

I'm still looking for all informations I can get regarding the origin of my Galaxian3 Theater, and I know, according what the G3 seller said to me, many years ago guys came from UK and assemble the Theater  :)  ...I even have the name  :wink:

Amazing ! On the Brent stand, I talk with Steve, a collegue of him  8)  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo7.jpg)

I explain him a part of my 'Galaxian 3 Theater'  :)  ...and he gives me the details of THE person I'm looking for  :P  ...more details soon in the G3 post  :roll:

Ok, so today... let's have some fun on games  :P  There's not a lot of people who are playing games here ! Good news for me then  :roll:  :wink:  And I even finish few games  :o  Thanks to the free play  :roll:  :wink:

Let's finish Aliens Extermination  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo8.jpg)

Having fun on the great Spiderman 3 pinball ... really amazing  :o

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo9.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo10.jpg)

Back on Chase HQ 2  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo11.jpg)

Like the original game, it starts by the same words : "Hi, this is Nancy from Chase HQ..."   :P

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo12.jpg)

Hey, look a these new Space Invaders pachislot ? Or Do I have to say Slot ? Because these are not made in Japan but ... in UK ?!

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo13.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo37.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo36.jpg)

F&F Drift... Nice cabs, but I don't really like this game  :?

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo14.jpg)

Same for F&F Super Bikes  :oops:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo15.jpg)

If the original Ghost Squad wasn't really fun, this new 'Evolution' version is amazing... I played it until the end  :o

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo16.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo17.jpg)

Nobody's playing the After Burner ClimaX ? Cool... Let's finish the game  :P

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo18.jpg)

... and "Let's go Jungle" too  :wink:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo22.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo23.jpg)

Hey, Sonic is back on the Arcades... with this 'game'  :lol:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo19.jpg)

Sega presents a new game for kids... you've hit aliens directly on a screen with a kind of hammer :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo20.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo21.jpg)

A lot of succes for the Saga pin-air  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo24.jpg)

And here's the new generation of 'Cranes' ... the Sega version is called : SEGA UFO CATCHER  :P

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo25.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo26.jpg)

...and here's the Namco version :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo27.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo28.jpg)

A mix between a coin pusher & a crane ...by Namco  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo29.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo30.jpg)

And still lot of gambling / slot machines... everywhere :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo31.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo35.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo40.jpg)

Hey, I know this message  :roll:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo38.jpg)

...windows is everywhere  :shock:  :P   :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo39.jpg)

A Golden Tee Live :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo34.jpg)

Back on Namco Midnight Maximum Tune 3 :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo32.jpg)

And here's the new generation of jukeboxes :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo41.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo42.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo43.jpg)

Back on Sega to play Virtua Fighter 5...

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo33.jpg)

...and the new SEGA RACE TV  :P

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo45.jpg)

A brand new cabinet for this game :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo46.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo47.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo48.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo49.jpg)

It's the perfect spot to catch all the flyers for these new games  :P  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/daytwo50.jpg)

Because my interest is mostly in arcade games, I didn't take a lot of pictures of gambling or slot machines, but I can assure you there was a lot of them everywhere  :wink:

...and this is it for this 'Preview 2008'  8)
Title: :: Report :: Coin-Op Expo / Preview 2008 - London
Post by: DarthNuno on October 29, 2007, 10:58:02 AM
Well, I have all the aftenoon to spend in London, so here's few things to do   8)

Don't miss the shop "Forbidden Planet" : Anime, Audio, Books, Comics, Gaming, Manga, Toys, ... a must see  :o

Exemple : If you're a big fan of Star Wars, here's what you can see (and buy of course)  :arrow:

Animated Life-Size Princess Leia :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext1.jpg)

Darth Vader :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext2.jpg)

The Rancor :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext3.jpg)

Jabba + Jabba's throne :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext4.jpg)

All the lightsabers :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext5.jpg)

All the figures :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext7.jpg)

File size helmets :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext8.jpg)

All kinds of books :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext9.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext10.jpg)

Each time I go to London, I go to Picadilly Circus...

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext11.jpg)

...where is located one of the biggest arcade room, inside the trocadero : FUNLAND  :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext13.jpg)

The entrance :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext12.jpg)

All the new games are here first...

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext14.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext15.jpg)

Hey, this is the Space Invaders UK seen at the Preview 2008 :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext16.jpg)

There is a football game that use real card...

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext17.jpg)

...the player put the cards on the games ... amazing  :o

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext18.jpg)

You can ask a *starter pack*, but you have to pay for new ones... of course 8)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext19.jpg)

A Paradise Lost... nice cab, but the game is not really fun to play IMO  :?

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext20.jpg)

8 Daytona USA ...linked together  :o  :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext21.jpg)

A japanese cabs corner... Versus City :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext22.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext23.jpg)

Oll' told me about another  Game Room to visit in London... the name is NAMCO STATION   :shock:  sounds good isn"t it ?!!!  :o  :lol:

Ok, this room is close to 'London Eyes', in the county hall. So let's go.

I'm walking over there and I see something familiar ... this black flag ...  8)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext24.jpg)

Yeeeesss... in the county hall, there is a Star Wars expo  :P  Ok, I already seen that same expo in Paris last year, but I'm a so big fan, and I have a lot of free time this end of after noon, so let's take a ride   :)

Just few pictures... (I hope there are some Star Wars fans here too...)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext25.jpg)

*amazing* ... it's about 5:00pm, and I'm almost alone in that museum  :shock:  Coooll  :P  I can take my time & watch everything... so quiet  :roll:  8)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext26.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext27.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext28.jpg)

... I can even enter into that ship  :o   :arrow:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext29.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext30.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext31.jpg)

After the visit, you're immidiatly at the Namco Station :

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext32.jpg)

NAMCO ... or The Game Creator  :P  ... Home Sweet Home  8)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext33.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext34.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext35.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext36.jpg)

No less than 3 levels ...

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext37.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext38.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext39.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext40.jpg)

What a nice coin pusher isn't it  :roll:  :wink:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext41.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext42.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext43.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext44.jpg)

The NAMCO Bar... I would like to have something similar in my new Game Room  :roll:  :wink:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext45.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext46.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext47.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext48.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext49.jpg)

Time to go for me ... I was looking for a Galaxian Theater ... but there's no more that game here  :oops:  ... we are in 2007, not 1997  :x  8)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext50.jpg)

Bye Bye London.... 'til the next time  :o   :roll:  :wink:

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/preview2008/ext51.jpg)
Title: :: Report :: Coin-Op Expo / Preview 2008 - London
Post by: Sonic 1992 on October 29, 2007, 06:40:14 PM
Awesome!!  Looks like you had a lot of fun!!! :D  :D

I would love to go to one, but here, (in the US) everything is in California, and it's way to far away (from Houston) for me to go... :?

What would be really cool, is that if you had the $$$ ready, you could buy the game you know you'd like, and get it  new in the box!!! :D  :D

Again, Very cool!!!  :D  :D  :D
Title: Re: :: Report :: Coin-Op Expo / Preview 2008 - London
Post by: DarthNuno on August 29, 2008, 09:22:22 AM
...and here's the date for the Preview 2009 :

Wednesday 1st October 2008: 10.00 - 18.00
Thursday 2nd October 2008: 10.00 - 16.00

Venue: Novotel London West
1 Shortlands, London W6 8DR. UK  


All the details right here (http://www.preview-uk.com/home.html)  8)
Title: Re: :: Report :: Coin-Op Expo / Preview 2008 - London
Post by: Ghost Soldier on August 29, 2008, 04:16:41 PM
Looks like you had a great time.  Love the pictures and thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: :: Report :: Coin-Op Expo / Preview 2008 - London
Post by: GermanCoasterBoy on August 30, 2008, 11:43:37 PM
I Love Showrooms/Gamerrooms Pictures  ;)!
MFG
Dominik Krank